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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-05-2016 | Original Article

Muscle-specific acute changes in passive stiffness of human triceps surae after stretching

Authors: Kosuke Hirata, Eri Miyamoto-Mikami, Hiroaki Kanehisa, Naokazu Miyamoto

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2016

Abstract

Purpose

It remains unclear whether the acute effect of stretching on passive muscle stiffness differs among the synergists. We examined the muscle stiffness responses of the medial (MG) and lateral gastrocnemii (LG), and soleus (Sol) during passive dorsiflexion before and after a static stretching by using ultrasound shear wave elastography.

Methods

Before and after a 5-min static stretching by passive dorsiflexion, shear modulus of the triceps surae and the Achilles tendon (AT) during passive dorsiflexion in the knee extended position were measured in 12 healthy subjects.

Results

Before the static stretching, shear modulus was the greatest in MG and smallest in Sol. The stretching induced significant reductions in shear modulus of MG, but not in shear modulus of LG and Sol. The slack angle was observed at more plantar flexed position in the following order: AT, MG, LG, and Sol. After the stretching, the slack angles of each muscle and AT were significantly shifted to more dorsiflexed positions with a similar extent. When considering the shift in slack angle, the change in MG shear modulus became smaller.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that passive muscle stiffness differs among the triceps surae, and that the acute effect of a static stretching is observed only in the stiff muscle. However, a large part of the reduction of passive muscle stiffness at a given joint angle could be due to an increase in the slack length.

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Title: Muscle-specific acute changes in passive stiffness of human triceps surae after stretching
Authors: Kosuke Hirata
Eri Miyamoto-Mikami
Hiroaki Kanehisa
Naokazu Miyamoto
Publication date: 01-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3349-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Muscle-specific acute changes in passive stiffness of human triceps surae after stretching

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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